"Uh huh, uh huh. Third master Beavis, how did you lose the anal probe this time?"

Stretching V3's "mesh geometry" also stretches the "UV texturing" when applied to the model, so the texture will always fit. Just remember that if you stretch alot, you may see some stretching in the texture as well, but it should remain minimal.

Attached Link: http://www.renderosity.com/messages.ez?ForumID=12356&Form.ShowMessage=1076021

Dave-So, you'd better make that 3 or 4 months! ;) Also, what I mean by stiff, is that although the interface is customizable, I don't see any easy way to modify it. With C4D, I can have my main views on one monitor and managers on another, windows can be instantly tabbed or tabs can be windowed. C4D's interface is almost totally configurable just by point-click-drag. There are no real movable tabs or toolbars in LW. Everything's boxed within the main screen and can't be altered much.

No problem, Chrisdmd. Had me confused there for a minute. :) Yeah, the dongle (and all of that registration to go with it) is a pain in the a**. The LightWave interface is a little stiff, but it isn't too difficult to understand and get used to. My problem is now that I'm hooked into C4D, I haven't been able to find the time to really get to know LightWave. What I have done, has been really excellent, though. It can get confusing when switching back and forth between 3 or 4 3D applications. :)

Chrisdmd, which "really good renderer" doesn't XL have? Both the Studio and XL bundles contain the Advanced Renderer. The only thing you get with Studio, not included with XL, are Dynamics and Unlimited NET Render (instead of 3-license NET Render). I know, I own it. So, C4D XL R8 is comparable to LW 3D 7.5, but LW has more bang for the buck. I also agree with Questor: try the demos and decide for yourself.

The "pros" (and anybody else lucky enough) use live models. Most stuff that you'll find in magazines and online are not hires enough or contain "printing artifacts" that will interfere with the quality of texture. To compound the problem, most photos will not be optimal for transfering as textures - highlights, shadows, clothes, hair, facial expressions (you want neutral), odd angles, occluded features, etc. If you are not looking for hires textures, you might get something good from very high-quality color prints (books, mags, posters) that are large (8.5x11 min.). You'll have to either make the texture small enough to remove the printing artifacts as subpixel or use a tool to remove them. Some image scanning software does a good job of removing the "print masking".

I'm now using Poser 5 exclusively, especially since the latest patch, finding that most P5 scenes (new features do not transfer) can load into C4D, and then finding that the Poser->C4D plugin can be made to work in C4D R8. Moved my entire library (etc) to P5 and haven't looked back (yet). Still, must keep P4Pro installed for the Poser->? plugins, but that doesn't bother me.

And just to be fair to fousto, it's some spectacular workmanship. I hope he gets the job!

I agree with you totally, Lyrra. And that's my point. A one-off model is difficult, but not nearly as difficult as pulling off a model that can be morphed, pulled, and twisted into a new character without having to remodel it or do all of the work yourself. DAZ has done a spectacular job at making character creation a reality. Considering that each V3 morph can take values from -1 to 1 (without considering values beyond those) at very small increments allows for infinite variety without infinite time. So instead of having to buy thirty different models for thirty characters, you have thirty million at your disposal from one figure. 'Scused, my Lady :) BeatYourSoul

_dodger: Bah! They said we'd have an AI machine in 10 years, 40 years ago. Now, they say maybe another 20 to 50 years from now (at best). The neuron turned out to be 100000 times more complex then ever imagined - storing more information than expected. Now, consider the complexity of the entire human system. It's not just a bag of cells - it's a bag of specialized, well-organized, interdepedent, symbiotic cells, each part of a larger system, part of a larger system, eventually ending in a single human being. The human body is the result (nonlinear as compared to what some like to envision) of billions of years of evolution. Put those clouds back together, turn off the light behind you, and stop pretending to be God. ;) Mike 12 will be running Linux, of course...

But isn't that EXACTLY what Fousto has done? His mesh is a unique polygon by polygon original mesh. I doubt it has morphs that'll make it into a new character. Daz3D's mesh has 1000s of morphs to vary the form so that one can virtually make the figure look like whatever they want (does Fausto's?) as well as posability, animatibility, and textures. A. One-off specific model B. Generically reformable model There ain't gonna be a cell-by-cell replica 3D model of a human form with full dynamics anytime this millenium, so you'll have to live with the crude approximations.

Awwwgghhh!! All of this gender ambiguity! I'm confused! I need my mommy. ;)

Me Tarzan, you Vicky :)

DAZ3D has already stated that Mike 3.0 is being worked on as we write. I want one just as much as anyone else, but I'd rather not rush them (see Poser 5 for instance of rushing to market).